Page 78 of Isla

"Or we can order room service," he says, gesturing to the menu lying on the bed.

"Even better. And then dessert?" I ask, winking at him. "And yes, before you ask, dessert is code for more sex."

"Jesus Christ, Isla. Thank God there are three of us. I don't think I could keep up with you on my own."

"I have years to make up for, Theo. I’d like to make up for them as fast as possible.”

“I’ll do everything to help you in your quest, princess,” he says as he stands, pulling me against his body and capturing my lips with his.

35

Iwake up slowly, my senses coming alive one by one. My legs are tangled with Theo’s. The contrast of his coarse hair on my freshly shaved legs is absolutely sinful. His chest rises and falls steadily under my cheek, a fluffy comforter cocooning us in downy warmth. I take a deep breath, drowning myself in his scent, wishing we could stay like this forever.

"Morning, Sunflower." His voice is smoke and sandpaper. Goosebumps race over my body, making me shiver. I crack open my eyes, blinking several times before lifting my chin to look at him.

"Good morning, handsome," I murmur, his sleep-mussed hair and stubble stoking the embers still burning low in my belly from last night. "Did you put me to bed?" I ask, realizing I don't remember falling asleep.

"You passed out ten minutes after we put the movie on.”

I wince. "But I promised you dessert."

"Isla, I lost count of how many 'courses' we had last night. We can have dessert another time."

"Another time meaning now?" I ask, biting my lip and looking at him with doe eyes.

He looks at the clock on the nightstand. "We can have dessert now or breakfast. They stop serving in forty-five minutes."

I give him a quick peck on the lips before jumping out of the bed and pulling on clothes. "I love you, but I'm starving."

He chuckles, his gaze worshipping my body. I could get used to this. I toss him a pair of boxers as I head toward the bathroom to brush my hair. Theo wraps his arms around me from behind, kissing my temple before resting his chin on the top of my head. Our eyes lock in the mirror.

"How are you so beautiful when you just woke up?" he asks, tracing my jawline with the back of his fingers.

"Were you expecting a zombie?" I stick out my arms and roll my eyes back. "I want to eat your brainsss,” I groan, jerking in his arms.

"Jesus, Isla. Have you been practicing that your entire life?"

"No, but I was a zombie for Halloween when I was fifteen and spent months watching zombie movies to perfect my technique. I guess it stuck with me."

"I see that," he laughs, spinning me around and pulling me to his bare chest. I sigh happily. This is where I belong. I finally release him when I think he maybe won't ever let go and give him a light smack on his ass. "Go get dressed before I get hangry."

"That would be even scarier than the zombie, wouldn't it?" He tips my chin up, kissing me hard before heading back into the bedroom.

My hangry is something nobody should ever have to see. I don't even recognize myself when I get like that. It's like those Snickers commercials. Scary as fuck.

We eat breakfast out on the deck, large umbrellas shading us from the rare summer sun. I could not have asked for a more relaxing couple of days before the stress of Charlie's baby shower. It's like Theo stepped into my head and knew exactly what I needed.

"To our last first dates," Theo says, raising his mimosa, the wind ruffling his hair.

"This really is my last first date with the three of you, isn't it?" I muse.

"This better be your last first date ever, Isla. We're playing for keeps."

I bite my lip to keep in my smile, heat creeping up my cheeks. I love how protective he is. It calls to primitive deep inside me. "To my last first date," I whisper, clinking my glass against his and taking a sip.

"What do you want out of life, Isla?" Theo asks after they lay an incredible number of dishes on our table for a family-style breakfast. I help myself to the fruit salad and French toast, taking time to think about his question before I answer it.

"In the end it all boils down to one thing. I want to feel accomplished in all areas of my life. Love. Family. Business."

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